The Voice Recap: Rock Out With Your Knockout

For a show that’s all about good vibrations and international warm fuzzies, The Voice can sometimes be a frustrating mistress.

Take, for example, the Season 4 Knockout Rounds, where Adam Levine and Shakira all too often pitted their best singers against each other in sudden-death faceoffs, while allowing lesser vocalists to slip into the live voting rounds like mold on the underside of a package of blackberries. (Yeah, I know, that metaphor didn’t quite work, but at three bucks a container, you’d think those juicy little treats would last more than 24 hours in the fridge. Sheesh!)

But if you’ll allow me a crack at another food metaphor, tonight’s two-hour telecast was like having a waiter say “For your first course, you can choose between a divine flourless chocolate cake and a rich caramel bread pudding! And for your second course, you can either have a handful of dried-up raisins or a raggedy slice of dried mango.” As the philosopher Q-Tip once put it, “Now why you wanna go and do that, love, huh? Now why you wanna go and do that and do that?” (And by “that,” I mean eliminate Shawna P and Warren Stone from the competition.)

Still, what’s done is done. The coaches have their reasons, and even if their reasons include knocking out the toughest competitors for their pre-ordained chosen ones prior to giving the power to the people, I’ve got no choice but to cut to the chase. So without further ado, let me get to the business of listing the Knockout Rounds champs from best- to least-impressive winner. (I’ll be back overnight to flesh out this recap with detailed reviews of every performance, but for now, here goes…)

Anyhow, as I noted, I’ll be back overnight to update this recap with full performance reviews — bookmark, refresh and enjoy! — but until then, it’s your turn. What did you think about Night 1 of The Voice’s Season 4 Knockout Rounds? Was anyone robbed? Who lucked out with their pairings? Take our poll below to vote for your faves, then hit the comments and expand on your thoughts. And for all my reality TV news, recaps and interviews, follow me on Twitter @MichaelSlezakTV!